Best of 2006 (My Favorites)

It's about that time of the year when everyone comes out with their "Best of" lists. Now, I listen to a lot of music and read a lot of books, but not all of it was actually released this year. Still, it's new to me! So that being said, here are my "Favorite Finds" in 2006:

Music

1. Diana Krall - "Live in Paris" - the songs are spirited and the playing is superb. One of those CD's where the band is obviously having a great time.
2. Crimson Jazz Trio - "King Crimson Song Book Vol. 1" - Like discovering Crimson for the first time again! Faithful interpretations of the songs and beautiful as well as fierce playing.
3. KTU - "8 Armed Monkey" - Pat Mastelotto and Trey Gunn from Crimson join musicians from "Kluster" in an experiment of loops, samples, percussion, voices and accordion! Like nothing I've ever heard.
4. Fiona Apple - "Extraordinary Machine" - Extraordinary!
5. Porcupine Tree - "Deadwing" - Modern progressive. Hard rocking and melodic.

Books

1. "House of Sand and Fog" - Andre Dubus III - Tension builds slowly for three one-time strangers whose connection to a house leads them down a destructive path.
2. "Roadshow - Landscape with Drums" - Neil Peart - Behind the scenes with Neil as he motorcycles across the country on tour with Rush.
   
3. "City of Joy" - Dominique Lapierre - Life in Calcutta as experienced by a Catholic priest and a rickshaw puller. Inspirational because you cannot believe the happiness and generosity of these people who literally have nothing.
   
4. "The Exorcist" - William Peter Blatty - Almost as scary as the movie and includes some nice background on what it takes to get an exorcisim approved. "And yet even from this - from evil - will come good. In some way. In some way that we may never understand or ever see."
5. "Raveling" - Peter Moore Smith - Schizophrenic brother tries to find out what happened to his sister who went missing 20 years ago.
   

Bourgade

Went to see my nephew's band "Bourgade" yesterday at a battle of the bands in Alexander NY, and as one of their songs predicted - Alexander truly was "laid to waste".

Johnny Rash, Road Dog, Slick Willie, and Double Barrel Daryl (with a cameo by the Rodeo Clown) took the stage, politely greeted the crowd and then proceeded to punch a wall of aggressive music straight through the collective masses ribcages - scorching hair as far back as the main entrance.Musically, Bourgade was tight on stage while remaining loose in appearance. Johnny Rash (Matt) kept the set flowing with interesting, often humorous song introductions, giving Alex, Bill and Joe a moment to catch their breath before administering the next audience aural assault.

I look forward to a future CD of "The Marriage of Robert Jager and Candice Kluscian", "Soccer Moms Bleed Like the Rest of Us", "Jack Davis' Drug Free Society", "As Reliable as Scott Norwood from 47 Yards Out", "Alexander Will be Laid to Waste" and "If You See Ralph Bucky Phillips, Put Him in a Headlock For Me".

Hellbilly Punk? Southern Rock on Roids? Cookie Monster Metal? I'm not sure how the hell to label it except "Gotta See it to Believe it". Great job guys and best of luck!

Thankful

Just a few (of many) things that I'm grateful for:

Florida Trade Show

Down in Ft. Lauderdale for a trade show this past week. 82 and muggy, but the evenings were nice. Some sights in and around the convention center:

Nostalgia Bands - Stop the Madness!!

Some music news:

I just read the announcement that Genesis is getting back together for the first time in 15 years to do a stadium tour. No Peter Gabriel, no Steve Hackett (they both declined) and no new album. They will be playing mostly hits from the 80's with some older material (likely in medley format).

Personally, I was glad to hear Gabriel said no. They talked about getting together to do "The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway" but for the life of me I can't seem to even get excited about the idea. I love the album, but that was 30 years ago! Why on earth, with everything Gabriel has done since would he ever want to consider revisiting that? Plus, his voice has changed considerably and fans would be paying $200 to see a 50 year old sing songs from his early 20's. Do you remember your early 20's? Are you really anything like that at all anymore? I just don't see the appeal. Thank you Peter for leaving your legacy intact.

The Who just released a new album, though it's just Roger and Pete now. Some would say that is better than no Who. I'll give them credit though because at least they have a new product to promote, one that's getting good reviews too.

This one I found really funny. Culture Club is back together and touring (if anyone cares), sans Boy George. Culture Club WAS Boy George, who are they kidding? It's kinda like....

Queen without Freddie Mercury. I saw them live on VH1 and Paul Rogers actually sounded really good, but Freddie he's not. If no Freddie, than what's the point? Join together with Paul Rogers under a different name and do something new. I know, I know - so many people say "I never got to see Queen." Well, you know what? You're still not.

My question is why? These musicians have talent, so why the need to revisit the past? Aside from The Who, none of them are on the road promoting a new album and I think that is the real kicker. Just another walk down memory lane.

Do people out there really need to revisit the music from 20 years ago at exorbitant prices that badly? Though I imagine the Culture Club tix are rather affordable. Okay, yes I'll admit I went to see the Asia reunion show, but that was only $20. It wasn't a cash cow for the band and they are discussing recording again. Plus you'd pay that much to see some of the touring tribute bands that are around anyway.

Touring used to be a way for bands to promote their latest album, playing a large portion of it along with some older hits. Rush for example plays 3 hours and includes about half their latest release, and has always done it this way. Then again they may be one of the exceptions. People accept that from Rush. When Fleetwood Mac played Buffalo a year or two ago the review said people were getting up and leaving during the new material, and actually yelling out for the hits. C'mon, hasn't FM radio killed those songs enough?

In the words of Robert Fripp, "move on" people. Help put an end to the madness.

Art Gone Wild - Buffalo Zoo Benefit 11/16/06

One of our greyhound friends works at the zoo and told us about this benefit for her "other" animals. I haven't been to the Pearl Street Grill in years and it's affordable and for a great cause. The zoo is really turning things around these last few years so it'll be nice to help out. Hope to see you there!

The Buffalo Zoo's artsy animals have been at it again! Join keepers on Thursday, November 16, 2006 from 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. at the Pearl Street Grill and Brewery for the art show of the year! The event features the sale and auction of art created by a variety of your favorite Buffalo Zoo animals, as well as a silent auction and live auction hosted by Channel 7 reporter Erica von Tiehl.

Pre-sale tickets are $6 per person or $10 for two. Funds raised will benefit the Animal Department. To purchase tickets, please call (716) 995-6139. Space is limited, so be sure to get your tickets today

Buffalo: Pierogy Pocket Capital !!!

City Takes Pierogy Title
(from The Buffalo News - Friday, November 03, 2006)

By BRIAN MEYER
News Staff Reporter

Forget the stinging Super Bowl losses and Stanley Cup defeats. Buffalo's passion for pierogies has won it what a beaming Mayor Byron W. Brown described Thursday as the city's first championship.

A Pennsylvania food manufacturer has christened Buffalo the "Capital of the Pierogy Pocket," following a spirited community effort to demonstrate the city's enthusiasm for the Polish delicacy.

Standing beneath a towering arch of ballons in the City Hall lobby, Brown accepted the award from Mrs. T's Pierogies - along with a $10,000 check. The money will be used to help support cultural heritage and tourism efforts, the Police Athletic League and Sister Cities projects.

"Buffalo has a large Eastern European population that takes a great deal of pride in their heritage and food," Brown told a crowd of about 75 people, who sang along to a new song called "Pierogy Pride - Buffalo's Anthem."

Tom Twardzik, president of Mrs. T's Pierogies, presented a ceremonial check to local officials.

Buffalo beat four other finalist cities: Pittsburgh, Lancaster, Pa., Providence, R.I., and Garfield, N.J. A team of judges weighed materials from each locality and considered online votes that poured in from across the nation. A billboard is being donated to advertise Buffalo's newfound status.

North Common Council Member Joseph Golombek Jr. was a judge for a Pierogy Pride taste-off held in August to showcase Buffalo's zeal for the food. He thinks the new designation is a testament to the city's diversity.

"This a proud day for Polish-Americans and for anyone who loves gooey, doughy, cholesterol-laden foods," Golombek quipped.